For the next week, Steven lived a routine between two points: Granite Cave and the Pokémon Center.
Aron's physical training had built a solid foundation, and it quickly entered the phase for move training.
Metang seemed to be reaching a bottleneck, with its strength improving very slowly, so Steven directly placed several Metal Coats on Metang's head.
He ensured that Metang's internal energy wouldn't be depleted, allowing it to push forward with confidence.
After breaking through, it could begin preparations for evolution.
Skarmory's feathers had also fully regrown, and it underwent two days of rehabilitation training.
Today was the day he would challenge the Dewford Town Gym!
It was also the day to test the results of Skarmory's and Aron's training.
A week wasn't long, but due to consistent feeding, Aron's trust in Steven was quite high.
If you met a boss who kept their promises and rewarded you after every task, you might feel the same way.
The Fighting Gym was located on the edge of Dewford Island, by the coast.
Perhaps it was built here for convenience in training at sea.
There were rumors that the fierce waves were formidable opponents every fighter must face!
Steven arrived at the Fighting Gym, and under the guidance of an attendant, he met the Gym Leader, Brawly, who had just finished training.
"Hello, I am a Trainer here to challenge the Gym," Steven said with a slight bow, introducing himself simply.
Seeing a challenger had arrived, Brawly grabbed his shirt nearby, put it on, and covered his muscles.
"I'm Brawly, the Gym Leader of Dewford Town. Welcome to the challenge!"
Brawly asked, "How many badges have you earned so far?"
"None yet. The Fighting Gym is the first Gym I'm challenging," Steven explained.
"I see, understood," Brawly nodded. Every Gym Leader adjusts their strength based on the challenger's badge count.
However, challengers could also declare their own skill level, prompting the Gym Leader to use corresponding strength in battle.
"The battle rules are three-on-three. Only the challenger may switch Pokémon. One side loses when all their Pokémon are unable to battle or if they forfeit. Does that work for you?"
"No problem," Steven had already familiarized himself with the basic Gym battle rules before coming and had no objections.
"Alright, once we're in position, I'll send out my Pokémon first. The battle begins once both Pokémon are on the field."
Brawly led Steven to the spacious battle arena.
This was also Steven's first official battle.
"Thank you," Brawly said to the attendant beside him before taking his position.
The attendant understood, nodding to Brawly.
Once Steven and Brawly stood at the Trainer positions on either side of the battle arena, the attendant raised his arm high.
"Dewford Town Gym Leader versus Gym Challenger! Both sides, send out your Pokémon!"
"Go, Machop!" Brawly threw out a Poké Ball, and with the white light that burst forth, a Pokémon appeared on the battle arena.
Machop was child-sized and entirely gray. It had red irises with black pupils, and three ridge-like protrusions on its head. Its hands had five fingers, and its feet appeared undivided. Additionally, it had a tail.
"Machop, huh?" Steven observed the Pokémon.
This Pokémon constantly trained to build strength, and once it reached a certain training threshold, it would evolve.
"I choose you, Skarmory!"
"Skaaar!"
A flash of white light appeared, and Skarmory spread its newly healed Steel Wings.
"A Steel and Flying-type Skarmory? Looks like you came prepared. However, Steel-types are also weak to Fighting-types!"
"You go first."
"The battle officially begins!"
As the attendant acting as referee lowered his arm, the Gym battle officially commenced!
"Skarmory, use Agility!"
Skarmory flapped its wings and took to the air, then began moving at high speed around Machop!
"Bulk Up!"
Bulk Up temporarily increased Machop's Attack and Defense. Against Skarmory, which had much higher mobility, this move was an excellent stat-boosting technique to enhance its counterattack capability.
Machop began performing various Bulk Up poses.
"Wing Attack!"
Skarmory maneuvered through the air to Machop's back and suddenly swooped down!
"From behind—use Karate Chop!"
Machop quickly turned, its palm glowing red and held vertically like a blade.
It positioned both hands on either side of its body, blocking Skarmory's outstretched wings.
However, its body was still pushed by the powerful impact, and its feet continuously slid backward.
Steven constantly analyzed the battle situation to determine his commands. These back-and-forth exchanges were merely probing attacks.
"Grab it—Seismic Toss!" Brawly quickly seized this opportunity during the struggle.
Machop's hands, which were previously blocking the wings, flipped over and grabbed Skarmory's wings.
"Endure it—use Peck!"
Slam!
Machop pulled Skarmory and, with a flexible backbend, slammed Skarmory onto the ground!
But such an impact was entirely within Skarmory's tolerance.
The training it had undergone wasn't for nothing!
Skarmory landed on its back, looking up as Machop's upper body quickly recovered. Seizing the moment, it flapped its wings against the ground.
It instantly righted itself, and Flying-type energy covered its beak as it struck Machop's back.
"Chop!"
Machop cried out in pain, sent flying by Skarmory.
Flying-type moves were super effective against Fighting-type Machop!
Even with Bulk Up's boost, Machop took considerable damage.
"Press the advantage—Wing Attack!"
Steven naturally wouldn't miss the brief window while Machop was down!
"Skaaar!"
Skarmory turned its body, then charged at Machop again.
"Machop, roll left!"
Brawly was indeed a Gym Leader—he immediately recognized this brief vulnerable moment for a follow-up attack.
Machop propped itself up with its hands, and before fully standing, immediately rolled to the side, dodging Skarmory's Wing Attack.
Skarmory braked hard, and the distance between them was very close!
"Steel Wing!"
"Low Kick!"
Both commands were issued simultaneously!
Skarmory swung its wings, covered in a metallic sheen, at Machop.
Machop, however, used its arm strength to support its entire body, adopting a handstand position!
Then it kicked both legs toward Skarmory!
Bang—thud!
Machop was struck by Skarmory's Steel Wing, and Skarmory was also kicked by Machop's legs.
Both were knocked back several meters, creating distance.
While Flying-type was super effective against Fighting-type, Steel-type was also weak to Fighting-type, so Skarmory didn't resist Machop's Fighting-type moves.
However, Machop's true strength lay in its arms—its leg power was significantly weaker than its arm strength!
Furthermore, Machop's defense was far inferior to Skarmory's, even with the Bulk Up boost.
Therefore, the one who recovered first was... Skarmory!
"Use Wing Attack!"
"Roll and dodge!"
This time, Wing Attack, which had been blocked once and dodged once before, finally connected with Machop who couldn't evade in time, sending it flying several meters.
Machop also lost its ability to battle after this attack.
"Machop is unable to battle! Gym Leader, please send out your next Pokémon!"